The cost of living... what can we do?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Aug 26, 2022.

  1. Jack McHammocklashing

    Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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    I had a new Combi boiler fitted Bosh ten year warranty for £2k, Warranty only valid if servised every year at £120 :-)
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      They only break down in the coldest part of the winter or at Christmas! :doh:
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        Ours is serviced every year by the company that installed it (Vaillant approved) with a seven year guarantee. He was charging £50 but has put it up to £70. He and his apprentice were here for only 28 minutes (including stamping the service book).
         
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        • Loofah

          Loofah Admin Staff Member

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          Just had mine serviced for £102. He also changed a few settings and found the auto air vent was leaking so glad I had it done
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            I don't know what he does with mine but it works OK. I think he is likely to put his price up again for the next service due in January. He lives just down the road. When my previous boiler was giving trouble just before Christmas the other year he checked it, said it needed replacing and booked it in to be replaced the first week in January but that if it did pack up sooner he would come in and replace it immediately - even if it was Christmas Day. :blue thumb: It lasted until Jan 3rd. :)
             
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            • john558

              john558 Total Gardener

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              I always cook a large batch of Mash Potatoes, then divide and freeze.
               
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              • WeeTam

                WeeTam Total Gardener

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                Bought our coal last year and sourced logs for next two winters. After that the sycamore tree at the bottom of the garden gets the chop.
                 
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                • Sheal

                  Sheal Total Gardener

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                  I've moved house a number of times and the last two had Vaillant (gas) combi boilers. They were both still working fully at the time of moving. One was 17 years old the other 14. The boiler in my current home had to be replaced just months after moving in, it was a 20 year old Grant oil boiler. I now have another Grant but it's a combi boiler and very efficient. The drawback is the initial cost, they aren't cheap.
                   
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                  • Jack McHammocklashing

                    Jack McHammocklashing Sludgemariner

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                    I can not find any access to inform the Gov of what is happening out here
                    I have my full state pension, then a 9/22 military pension the total of which is
                    less than the living wage
                    I get nothing
                    People who have not made any pension arrangements, get all the help
                    Universal Credits, Lump Sum payments, Housing benefits and are now
                    on a better than minimum wage, Or £3k a year more than I who thought
                    I was doing the right thing
                    I just want to inform the Gov that pensioners are on less than the minimum wage
                    but there is no access to inform them
                    I contacted my local MP Nothing back other than would I donate £xx to their cause
                     
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                    • Sheal

                      Sheal Total Gardener

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                      Has anyone thought of bartering? Okay, the idea goes back many centuries but it still works. A local man does the jobs that are impossible for me and if the occasion arises I can get a discount by bartering. Example - the removal of large trees in my garden and the value of the wood deducted from the bill that he took away to sell.

                      Also, one skill can be swapped for another.
                       
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                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        We swap plants and produce for some of the DIY type work. :blue thumb:
                         
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                        • shiney

                          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                          I suddenly thought about the electricity we use for charging up our toothbrushes. We leave the charger plugged in permanently as one of us always has our brush on charge. So I did the calculations and found it costs about £7 a year to leave it on permanently. So no real saving there. :noidea:
                           
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                          • gks

                            gks Total Gardener

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                            Do it all the time in Thailand as nothing tends to be priced, once they see me, they always start high, so good to have the Mrs in tow.

                            I might take up busking, my singing is dreadful so they might pay me to shut up, or they might just throw something at me instead.:heehee:
                             
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                            • Sheal

                              Sheal Total Gardener

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                              I've never owned an electric toothbrush, mine works through muscle power. :biggrin:

                              But don't you need a licence to busk? The cost of that will diminish your possible earnings. :biggrin:
                               
                            • shiney

                              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                              That's OK if you have muscles :dunno: :heehee:.

                              I must admit that after being advised by the hygienist to use an electric toothbrush, many years ago :old:, the amount of work she has to do on me has lessened and I don't have any problem with my chompers. :blue thumb:
                               
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